Showing posts with label christmas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label christmas. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Making the Baby Jesus cry - 2012
Once again, Sports Illustrated wins the prize for the earliest Christmas promotion. This arrived in the mail yesterday.
Friday, June 24, 2011
Thursday, January 06, 2011
An epiphany about a holiday
Not really continuing the discussion that poor Victor and I have had, today is Epiphany for some folks, also known as Twelfthtide. The U.S. Catholic liturgical calendar
notes that Catholics observed the Epiphany last Sunday.
For many Christians, tt could be Christmas (or it might be tomorrow) or Twelfth Night or maybe not, but it's something.
The day also calls for an anonymous hat tip to friend Bill who's celebrating his 65th birthday.
notes that Catholics observed the Epiphany last Sunday.For many Christians, tt could be Christmas (or it might be tomorrow) or Twelfth Night or maybe not, but it's something.
The day also calls for an anonymous hat tip to friend Bill who's celebrating his 65th birthday.
Friday, December 24, 2010
All He wants for Christmas is a roofing contractor
The Church of the Nativity marks the place in Bethlehem where Christians believe that the manger stood, the manger where Jesus was born.The church is one of the oldest in Christendom, with various structures in place since the 4th century. The BBC reports that it is now in danger of being closed because the three Christian denominations that share responsibility for church maintenance can't agree about paying for the roof repairs.
Bill Seamans, a former ABC correspondent in the Middle East and now columnist for the Keene Sentinel, reports that, during the time when Israel occupied the region, the Israeli army reservists made some urgent, but temporary, repairs to the roof in the quiet of the night.
The three parties did reach an agreement in September for a plan to repair the roof, but haven't been able to agree on paying for it.
The government of the Palestinian Authority, where the church is located, may have to raise the money itself. If the church closes, tourists won't come. As it is, what with the general uneasiness about travel into the PA (access to which is controlled by Israel, which occasionally closes the borders for security concerns), tourists don't generally stay long in Bethlehem. They don't shop or stay in hotels or talk much to the locals. An opportunity for commerce, cultural exchange and understanding, and, oh, yes, spiritual renewal is being lost because of Christian disunity.
The Palestinians told the Armenian, Greek Orthodox, and Roman Catholic monks who share the administration of the church that the three groups must reach a decision about taking care of the roof. After three weeks, the three groups came back and reported that they couldn't agree.
The maintenance issues have long been fractious. Recently the church was closed to visitors because one monk wouldn't clean a staircase that was owned by another denomination.
As it stands now, the Palestinian Authority, like the Israeli soldiers before them, may have to pay for repairs to a Christian holy site while the Christians quarrel about whose turn it is to take out the rubbish.
Bill Seamans, a former ABC correspondent in the Middle East and now columnist for the Keene Sentinel, reports that, during the time when Israel occupied the region, the Israeli army reservists made some urgent, but temporary, repairs to the roof in the quiet of the night.
The three parties did reach an agreement in September for a plan to repair the roof, but haven't been able to agree on paying for it.
The government of the Palestinian Authority, where the church is located, may have to raise the money itself. If the church closes, tourists won't come. As it is, what with the general uneasiness about travel into the PA (access to which is controlled by Israel, which occasionally closes the borders for security concerns), tourists don't generally stay long in Bethlehem. They don't shop or stay in hotels or talk much to the locals. An opportunity for commerce, cultural exchange and understanding, and, oh, yes, spiritual renewal is being lost because of Christian disunity.
The Palestinians told the Armenian, Greek Orthodox, and Roman Catholic monks who share the administration of the church that the three groups must reach a decision about taking care of the roof. After three weeks, the three groups came back and reported that they couldn't agree.
The maintenance issues have long been fractious. Recently the church was closed to visitors because one monk wouldn't clean a staircase that was owned by another denomination.
As it stands now, the Palestinian Authority, like the Israeli soldiers before them, may have to pay for repairs to a Christian holy site while the Christians quarrel about whose turn it is to take out the rubbish.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
More on Christmas shopping
So, venerable and typically rather cautious Consumer Reports suggests that you might find good values among the As Seen on TV family of products. They've reviewed and liked the Forearm Forklift, Slap Chop, Ove Glove, the ShamWow, PedEgg, (even while allowing that your sweetie might not see the charm in your gesture), or e Snuggie.
But, with a particular note of caution, as we saw with the PedEgg, guys should be very careful when shopping at ASoT.
But, with a particular note of caution, as we saw with the PedEgg, guys should be very careful when shopping at ASoT.
- When shopping for Mom or Nana -
DEva Lite Bra D - The Official Site of AsSeenOnTV.com
- When shopping for wife and/or girlfriend
ASave $85.00 - Renaissance by Ultra Aesthetics - Proven Stretch Mark Treatment Creme - See #2
Bare and Beautiful Hair Removal - The Official Site Of AsSeenOnTV.com
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Let us give thanks
... that we have just a month and day until the nation's retailers can start stocking the shelves with Valentine's Day detritus.
I'm weary. It's been a long siege already. It started in late August when pallets of Christmas started to appear in the back of the stores.
By the end of September, the green-and-red packaging was unabashedly on display. The music started in October.
For most of this month, newspapers have been running stories about Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and the great American hunger for cheap stuff made in China, southeast Asia, and south Asia. Walmart has positioned crates of things that we've just got to have, wrapped in black plastic, around their stores in readiness for that great and glorious day, which is not Christmas or Judgment Day, but the day when we shop even more deliriously.
We'll make it, though. The spirit of Christmas triumphs over stupid each year, although each year the score is closer. We'll make it. We always do.
I'm weary. It's been a long siege already. It started in late August when pallets of Christmas started to appear in the back of the stores.By the end of September, the green-and-red packaging was unabashedly on display. The music started in October.
For most of this month, newspapers have been running stories about Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and the great American hunger for cheap stuff made in China, southeast Asia, and south Asia. Walmart has positioned crates of things that we've just got to have, wrapped in black plastic, around their stores in readiness for that great and glorious day, which is not Christmas or Judgment Day, but the day when we shop even more deliriously.
The Boston Globe has discovered that, during Advent, they can make more money from their advertisers by giving their paper away on Thursdays.
I don't enjoy being a curmudgeon about Christmas. I want to share the joy of Christmas morning with the grandkids, but even there it's getting sketchy. When the local news station reports that kids want the iPad more than any other gift, I grieve because we may have lost another generation. We'll make it, though. The spirit of Christmas triumphs over stupid each year, although each year the score is closer. We'll make it. We always do.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Making the Baby Jesus cry
So, this ad shows up in last Sunday's newspaper:
via Danbury Mint Christmas Cards - 48 Designs - $.99 for your second box - The Danbury Mint
Friday, December 25, 2009
If we knew what we were missing
We were Unitarians, barely, attending Christmas Eve services in Gardner some years and not others. I pretty much stopped going to church when I was 14, preferring the Sunday New York Times.
I never saw my grandparents, my father's parents, go to church. The Finnish Lutherans were a strong force in some parts of the immigrant community, but seemed to have left us untouched. We have my mother's confirmation certificate, written in Finnish, but that childhood experience seemed to have left her unharmed.
So, it's in that spirit that we celebrated Christmas when I was growing up. My father picked up his parents at their three-decker in Gardner and brought them to our house on Christmas Eve. (My grandfather parked the car in his garage and didn't drive after the first snowfall.)
We had a light dinner and opened our presents. For that reason, it was tough to get into the whole Santa Claus thing, even though my tribe hails from the place that claims to be the home of Santa Claus (via). Once, and I might have been five, I took a nap in the afternoon to see if we could pretend me into believing. It didn't really work.
Some years later, I worked with a woman from Detroit. She grew up listening to Motown music and missed the Beatles invasion altogether. That's how it was for me and Santa Claus, not knowing that I was missing something big. In my colleague's case, she got Motown music; I got baked turnip.
Some Christmases weren't flush. One year, we wrapped empty packages so that the space under the tree wouldn't look so empty.
My father occasionally got some welding work at one of the Fitchburg paper plants. One time, he brought home a 4' roll of wrapping paper, a light-blue floral print. For the next many years, all of our gifts were wrapped in that same paper.
Those weren't particularly good times or bad times. They were just our times.
As powerful as the emotions can be around Christmastime, it's good for me to realize that the long-lasting memories aren't any more or less shaped by the holidays past. The joy and pain can be searing in the moment, but the sensations don't usually last.
I never saw my grandparents, my father's parents, go to church. The Finnish Lutherans were a strong force in some parts of the immigrant community, but seemed to have left us untouched. We have my mother's confirmation certificate, written in Finnish, but that childhood experience seemed to have left her unharmed.
So, it's in that spirit that we celebrated Christmas when I was growing up. My father picked up his parents at their three-decker in Gardner and brought them to our house on Christmas Eve. (My grandfather parked the car in his garage and didn't drive after the first snowfall.)
We had a light dinner and opened our presents. For that reason, it was tough to get into the whole Santa Claus thing, even though my tribe hails from the place that claims to be the home of Santa Claus (via). Once, and I might have been five, I took a nap in the afternoon to see if we could pretend me into believing. It didn't really work.
Some years later, I worked with a woman from Detroit. She grew up listening to Motown music and missed the Beatles invasion altogether. That's how it was for me and Santa Claus, not knowing that I was missing something big. In my colleague's case, she got Motown music; I got baked turnip.
Some Christmases weren't flush. One year, we wrapped empty packages so that the space under the tree wouldn't look so empty.
My father occasionally got some welding work at one of the Fitchburg paper plants. One time, he brought home a 4' roll of wrapping paper, a light-blue floral print. For the next many years, all of our gifts were wrapped in that same paper.
Those weren't particularly good times or bad times. They were just our times.
As powerful as the emotions can be around Christmastime, it's good for me to realize that the long-lasting memories aren't any more or less shaped by the holidays past. The joy and pain can be searing in the moment, but the sensations don't usually last.
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Dept. of Christmas
On our way to Mike & Lynn's this evening and then over the river and through the woods to Adam & Jennie's tomorrow.
That little puff of smoke that came from the microwave wasn't welcome. Methinks we'll be heading for the Wrestling Day specials.
We have, without a doubt, many, many, many more blessings than troubles, so it's with a smile that we head out on this Christmas Eve.
Thanks to all my readers.
That little puff of smoke that came from the microwave wasn't welcome. Methinks we'll be heading for the Wrestling Day specials.
We have, without a doubt, many, many, many more blessings than troubles, so it's with a smile that we head out on this Christmas Eve.
Saturday, December 19, 2009
The only Christmas song you'll need
Deck us all with Boston Charlie,
Walla Walla, Wash, and Kalamazoo!
Nora's freezin' on the trolley,
Swaller dollar cauliflower Alleygaroo!
Don't we know archaic barrel, Lullaby Lilla Boy, Louisville Lou.
Trolley Molly don't love Harold, Boola Boola Pensacoola Hullabaloo!
Cecil Adams has gathered six versions -
The Straight Dope: What are the lyrics to Walt Kelly's classic carol, "Deck Us All With Boston Charlie"?
You can hear a jazzy version by Lambert, Hendricks & Ross on Last.fm.
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